Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) CONNECTS: Grassy Waters Preserve Discussion Topics by Daniel Auer

What is Facilitated Discussions?

ANCAmembership — 2024-09-27 16:48:18 UTC

Facilitated Discussions are collaborative sessions where all participants contribute to the discussion; the result is a shared dialogue that brings out an abundance of perspectives, possibilities, and renewed energy. Facilitators guide the dialogue but do not give a formal presentation. These discussions are an excellent opportunity to share with your peers, learn new ideas, discuss trends in the profession, and work together to find solutions.

We will use this virtual bulletin board in advance of the meeting to share ideas.

If you suggest a topic and it is chosen as a session, you will be asked to introduce the topic and facilitate the discussion among the participants. Again, the facilitator does not need to be perceived as the expert in the room, so you can simply start the conversation and engage accordingly.

This system allows you to co-create your experience, and provides the opportunity for you to be an active participant rather than a passive listener.

Growing Pains

2024-11-01 15:01:05 UTC

We're fortunate that our nonprofit is succeeding and growing. It requires a lot of strategic thinking and decision making to determine best next steps - what we need to do next, what's standing in our way, etc.

Donations from funding sources that don't align with mission

2024-11-05 17:31:43 UTC

In Florida, we have a lot of developers looking to support Nature and Environmental Learning Centers. Do you take the $? Depending on the amount, a lot of work can be done but what about the optics and how do you justify this with staff, board, volunteers, and other supporters?

Insurance

2024-11-05 17:37:42 UTC

Our annual insurance premiums continue to increase with higher deductibles and less coverage. Property w/wind coverage is very expensive and only helps if you experience a catastrophic event. How are you dealing with premium increases? Are you self-insuring through savings and investments?

Budgeting

2024-11-05 17:42:58 UTC

As our budgets grow, we need to include capital depreciation for our major assets(roofs, A/C, vehicles, mowers, etc.). Are you working this into your budgets? If not, what's your plan for replacing these items?

Promote Paradise and got rid of a Parking Lot:)

2024-11-05 17:47:21 UTC

We removed over 7,000 sq feet of asphalt parking to create Living Shoreline and coastal hammock with trails and a kayak launch.

Pivoting after Hurricanes

2024-11-05 19:00:15 UTC

Our facility sustained damage from Hurricane Milton. We had an annual event planned that utilized some of the space that was damaged and we had to change our plans a bit. The event was a success despite some minor hiccups.

BOD

2024-11-05 19:02:55 UTC

We have some BOD members who are super involved and others who are minimally involved and committees that appear defunct. . I would like to encourage our incoming Board Chair to initiate a Board evaluation, actively seek to fill board needs, and re-develop standing committees.

Partners

2024-11-05 20:15:33 UTC

(From registration form) Working with co-located partners and government partners.

Volunteers, accessibility, etc.

2024-11-05 20:19:46 UTC

(From registration form)

volunteer recruitment
reaching people unable to electively volunteer and/or visit nature
sign pollution
secondary education programs gaps
diversifying conservation career pathways
making nature ADA accessible
visitor counter systems

Animal emergency care

2024-11-05 20:20:37 UTC

(From registration form)

Animal emergency care training at your centers.

Program Evaluations

2024-11-07 17:04:52 UTC

(From registration form)

Program evaluations that provide meaningful feedback; where do feelings fit in?

Turnover of Staff due to Cost of Living

2024-11-08 18:37:58 UTC

How to ethically address increase in cost of living impacting part time staff

Photos

ANCAmembership — 2024-11-14 18:36:26 UTC

Contact Information

ANCAmembership — 2024-11-14 18:38:27 UTC